Fear Not 365 – For He Is Never Far

Psalm 22 was written by King David approximately one thousand years before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, yet most theologians agree it prophetically foreshadows Jesus on the cross. 

Whenever I think of the passion week, I am emotionally drawn to the night spent in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was, for Jesus, something of a quiet retreat in the midst of conflict. A walled compound, a working olive press, a beautiful orchard, it sat at the foot of a mountain, only a stone’s throw from the Temple, opposite Golgotha. 

As Jesus prayed that night, I wonder if He asked Himself why He created such a beautiful garden so close to such an ugly Hill as Golgotha. Did He ever consider calling a legion of angels to rescue him? Did He regret creating mankind? Did He think of the 22nd Psalm, which He had inspired David to write, and wonder, is there another way?

Did He fell abandoned? Did He pray those words?

O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;

And in the night season, and am not silent.

But You are holy,

Enthroned in the praises of Israel…

But I am a worm, and no man;

A reproach of men, and despised by the people…

But You are He who took Me out of the womb;

You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.

I was cast upon You from birth.

From My mother’s womb

You have been My God.

Be not far from Me,

For trouble is near;

For there is none to help.

We learn at least thee important lessons from that night in Gethsemane. 

• First, since even the Son of God spent hours in prayer, it is of utmost importance that we spend considerable time in prayer. 

• Secondly, it is not a sin to question God’s plan for our lives, so long as we ultimately submit to His plan. We should be frank with God in our prayers, for He knows us better than we know ourselves. 

• Thirdly, Jesus endured such agony so that we don’t have to; He died in our place. 

I’m forgiven cause You were forsaken

I’m accepted, You were condemned

I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me

‘Cause You died and rose again

– Amazing Love, Billy James Foote